Question

State whether the following statements are true or false:
(A) Generally, non-metals react with acids
(B) Sodium is a very reactive metal.
(C) Copper displaces zinc from zinc sulphate solution.
(D) Coal can be drawn into wires

Answer 1

We know every element in the periodic table has its own unique characteristics. It is based on these characteristics that they are placed in the periodic table. Each of the period and group of the periodic table represents some character of the element. Non-metals are generally brittle and metals of s-block are very soft and highly reactive.

Complete Step by Step answer
We know that the periodic table is a systematic way of arranging the elements into a table for the ease of identification of the elements. In the periodic table we know that there are a greater number of metals and just a few non-metals. The nonmetals and metalloids are placed in the groups 13-17 of the periodic table, while the metals occupy every other past of the periodic table. Carbon is an element in the group 14 of the periodic table and it shows non-metallic properties.
One of the properties that differ from metals and non-metals is that metals are ductile and malleable whereas non-metals are not. Ductility is the property by which an element could be drawn into thin wires. Since carbon is a non-metal it is not ductile. Coal is a form of carbon, and hence coal cannot be drawn into thin wires too. Thus, D is false.
We know that acids are molecules /ions that are capable of donating a proton. So only molecules/ ions that will be capable of donating electrons can react with acids in a stable environment. However, non-metals belong to group 13-17 who have 4,5,6,7 valence electrons in the outermost shell. They have the tendency to gain electrons rather than donating them. Hence non-metals do not react with acids. Thus, A is false.
Sodium is a metal that is placed in the group 1 of the periodic table. It is an alkali metal which is the most reactive metal in the whole periodic table. This is due to the fact that they have very low electronegativity and can easily give up their existing single valence electrons to achieve a stable noble gas configuration. This is why sodium is a very reactive metal. So, B is true.
Zinc has the electronic configuration $\left[ {Ar} \right]3{d^{10}}4{s^2}$ and copper has the electronic configuration $\left[ {Ar} \right]3{d^{10}}4{s^1}$ . It is more difficult to lose an electron from the completely filled $d$ subshell to form $C{u^{ + 2}}$ than to form $Z{n^{ + 2}}$ . Thus, copper cannot displace zinc from the solution of zinc sulphate. So, C is false.
Hence B is correct option.

Note
Although the atoms/ elements seem to be arranged according to their atomic radius in the periodic table. It has a system that represents all the other important features that are needed to describe an element.